UFC Dana White confirms Alex Volkanovski lightweight title shot champion Oliviera Makhachev Aussie

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Alexander Volkanovski will receive the next shot at the lightweight crown – fighting the winner of this weekend’s bout between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev.

The 34-year-old Aussie currently holds the featherweight belt – which he has defended since 2019 – and is the organisation’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter.

Volkanovski will now have a shot at holding two belts simultaneously – a rare feat first achieved by Conor McGregor in 2016

He has long expressed his desire to move up in weight and fight for a second championship – and on Tuesday, White revealed that is being planned.

‘It makes sense, yeah,’ the UFC boss told Barstool Sports when asked if Volkanovski would get the next shot at the lightweight title.

Volkanovski is easily the most dominant fighter in the UFC and has defeated every top featherweight in the organisation. A move up in weight makes sense.

If the Wollongong-born fighter can win a second belt and achieve ‘champ-champ’ status, he will become only one of five fighters to have ever held two belts simultaneously.

Volkanovski (pictured striking Max Holloway in their championship bout this year) is the organisation’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter and is still undefeated in the UFC

Conor McGregor was the first to achieve it when beat Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title in 2016, and the feat was so unusual that Dana White didn’t have two belts ready for the Irishman’s post-fight photo-op.

Since that time three other fighters have become dual-champions – Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier, and Henry Cejudo.

Volkanovski has insisted if he’s moving up in weight, it ‘has to be for the belt’.

‘I deserve that,’ Volkanovski said. ‘The real big fights – obviously we’d be motivated. It’s something that I want to do.’ 

Volkanovski pictured with his featherweight championship belt. The Aussie is riding an amazing 22-fight winning streak

‘I want to go for that double champ status.’

‘I just fought a few months ago and I don’t know if one division can keep me busy enough. Give me two divisions then. I’ll keep them both busy.’

Volkanovski has still not lost a fight in the UFC and rides an incredible 22-fight winning streak. He has successfully defended his belt at featherweight on four occasions.